"Don't be stupid," reproved Peggy, severely, "I've been thinking it over and I've just hit on the solution. Fanning, or so I heard, took up aviation when he was in the west. You know he always had a hankering for it."
"Yes, I recollect his fake aeroplane that scared the life out of you," grinned Roy.
"Well," pursued Peggy, not deigning to notice this remark, "I guess they decided that Mr. Mortlake would be a bit er—er—overweight isn't it called? so they sent for old Mr. Harding's son to manage the Cobweb at the tests."
"Jove, that must be it. Makes it rather awkward, though. Somehow I don't much fancy Master Fanning."
"As if we hadn't good reason to despise him. Hark! there goes the Cobweb now!"
A droning buzz was borne to their ears. Running to the window they saw the Mortlake aeroplane whiz by at a fair height. It was going fast and a male figure, tall and slight, was at the wheel. In the stern seat Regina Mortlake's rubicund aviation costume could be made out.
" Running to the window they saw the Mortlake aeroplane whiz by at a fair height."
"Fanning has certainly turned out to be a good driver of aeroplanes," commented Roy, as he watched; "see that flaw strike them! There! he brought the Cobweb through it like an old general of the upper regions."